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Summer is the time of year when people head outside to have fun. People usually do not think about the risk of skin cancer while they are soaking up the sun. However, 1 out of 5 people in the U.S. will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Ultraviolet (UV) light causes 90 percent of these cancers. UV light causes damage to DNA which may be the first step to skin cancer. There is no such thing as a healthy tan--tanning is the skin's response to the DNA damage caused by UV light. Everyone over 6 months old should use sunscreen daily, year-round, in any weather. Although people with dark skin are less high-risk than people with light skin, they may develop skin cancer as well, and should use sunscreen. The best way to avoid skin cancer is to understand risk factors for skin cancer, use good skin care techniques, and perform frequent skin exams.
Risk factors for skin cancer:
Sun exposure: includes time spent outdoors and hours of sunlight exposure
Skin Type: the fairer (lighter) the skin, the greater risk of skin cancer
Previous skin cancer
Family history of skin cancer
Moles: the more moles a person has, the greater risk of getting skin cancer
Summer Skin Care Tips:
Do not go out into the sun between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M. That is when the sun and UV rays that can cause skin cancer are the strongest.
Wear a broad-rimmed hat, UV-protective sunglasses, and SPF 15 lip balm.
Use a broad-spectrum (UVA + UVB) sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher.
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Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before sun exposure.
Apply a generous amount of sunscreen. At least 2 tablespoons (1 ounce or a shot glass amount) of sunscreen is needed to cover the entire body surface.
Reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours or more often if you are swimming or sweating.
Do not burn.
Perform monthly skin exams and have an annual skin exam by your doctor.
Skin Exam Tips:
Look for the ABCDE's of skin cancer.
Asymmetry- if you drew a line through the middle of the mole, the two halves would not match.
Border- the borders of the mole are uneven, not circular or straight
Color- skin cancer can be any number of colors, including brown, black, tan, red, or blue
Diameter- look for moles bigger than ¼ inch (size of a pencil eraser)
Evolving- is the mole changing?
Understanding the risk for getting skin cancer and knowing how to prevent sunburn are very important during this time of year. Making sure to check skin frequently and using the skin care tips above are big steps in lowering the chance of skin cancer in the future. For more information, visit www.skincancer.org.
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